After a long day at work, I sat on the edge of my bed and spent some time with the Lord. As I prayed in the Spirit and asked what He was speaking, I saw a vision.

Several men were standing in the darkness. As I looked toward the shore, I saw a lighthouse. At the top of the tower was a window through which I could see women dressed in white. The inside of the lighthouse seemed to be flowing with light. Light burst through the opening and streamed across the dark sky.

As I asked the Lord what I was seeing, the parable of the ten virgins immediately came to mind.

So I opened my Bible to Matthew 25.

Matthew 25:1–13 AMP

Parable of Ten Virgins

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

2 Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible].

3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them,

4 but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps.

5 Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep.

6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.’

7 Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them].

8 But the foolish virgins said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’

9 But the wise replied, ‘No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.’

10 But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked.

11 Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’

12 But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’

13 Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].”

The parable speaks about readiness, relationship, and the oil needed to keep the lamps burning.

Oil is often used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. In the vision, I sensed that the maidens represented believers, the lamps represented the vessels of their lives, and the light represented the glory of God shining through them.

The contrast between the wise and foolish maidens shows us the importance of remaining filled, prepared, and connected to the Source of our oil.

This does not mean that the Holy Spirit simply abandons us, because He dwells within believers. Rather, we can resist His movement, neglect our fellowship with Him, and restrict the flow of the rivers of living water that come from the heart of the Heavenly Father.

We can become so consumed by the demands of the world that we attempt to shine while running on empty.

A Continuous Supply of Oil

As I continued studying the oil of the Spirit, I was led to Zechariah 4:1–7.

Zechariah 4:1–7 AMP

The Golden Lampstand and Olive Trees

1 And the angel who was speaking with me came back and awakened me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep.

2 He said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with its bowl [for oil] on the top of it and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it.

3 And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side [supplying it continuously with oil].”

4 So I asked the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?”

5 Then the angel who was speaking with me answered me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.”

6 Then he said to me, “This [continuous supply of oil] is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel [prince of Judah], saying, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of whom the oil is a symbol],’ says the Lord of hosts.

7 ‘What are you, O great mountain [of obstacles]? Before Zerubbabel [who will rebuild the temple] you will become a plain (insignificant)! And he will bring out the capstone [of the new temple] with loud shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”

Zechariah saw a golden lampstand with seven lamps. Above it was a bowl of oil continually supplied by the olive trees beside it.

The lampstand did not have to produce its own oil. It only needed to remain connected to the continuous supply.

In the same way, we may feel inadequate, insufficient, neither mighty nor powerful in our natural strength. But we are not called to accomplish the Father’s purposes through our own might or power.

It is by His Spirit.

It is through the Holy Spirit’s power and the glory of God that ordinary vessels can shine and bring light into a darkened world.

From a Lighthouse to a Launch

As I returned to the vision, the lighthouse suddenly transformed into a rocket. It launched into the sky and then became like fireworks, illuminating the darkness.

I believe this is also a reminder to approach what is happening around us from a higher place. We are seated with Christ in the heavenly places. We are called to shine His light and spread the knowledge of His glory throughout the earth, as the waters cover the sea.

But a lighthouse cannot shine without oil, and a rocket cannot launch without fuel.

The sudden launch is fueled by the Spirit.

Before the public release comes the private filling. Before the light bursts across the sky, the vessel must remain connected to its continuous supply.

And here's the Heart of the Heavenly Father (Watch and Read along)